"Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

War on Terrorism

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Iraqi Police Free Kidnap Victim; Large Bomb-Making Cache Found

WASHINGTON, July 12, 2006 – Iraqi police freed a kidnap victim in Baghdad, and coalition forces uncovered a large cache of bomb-making material near Mahmudiyah, Iraq, July 10, U.S. military officials reported. Iraqi policemen from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division, arrested seven men at a checkpoint and freed an alleged kidnap victim in eastern Baghdad after the men tried to bypass checkpoints in four vehicles. The police stopped them with small-arms fire and a roadblock, officials said.

"This shows the effectiveness of the Iraqi national police and their ability to enforce the rule of law," said Army Maj. Johnny Davis, operations officer of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. The police apprehended all of the suspects. Two of the alleged kidnappers received minor head injuries and were treated upon arrival for questioning. The police confiscated five 9 mm pistols, two AK-47 rifles and three vehicles.

The kidnappers had stolen one of the vehicles from the victim, officials said. The incident is under investigation by Iraqi authorities. Also, coalition soldiers from 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, located a large cache of bomb-making materials in a rural area outside Mahmudiyah.